The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) cover

The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke)

Hawkwind

9 min · 2 tracks · progressive rock

A cosmic journey blending heavy guitar riffs with ethereal soundscapes, embodying the spirit of the psychedelic era.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) — The title track encapsulates the essence of Hawkwind’s sound, combining heavy instrumentation with surreal lyrical themes that evoke a sense of cosmic exploration.
  • →
    It’s So Easy — This track contrasts the album's more expansive pieces with a straightforward yet captivating melody, showcasing the band's versatility within the psychedelic framework.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends heavy riffs with ethereal soundscapes, marking it as a distinctive entry in the psychedelic rock genre.

What we noticed

  • The second track is more straightforward, with a clear verse-chorus structure and less emphasis on extended improvisation.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Released during their rise, it contributed to their recognition in the psychedelic rock scene.
Career context
Released in 1972, The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) came during Hawkwind's rise in the progressive rock scene, following their influential album In Search of Space. By this time, they had established themselves as pioneers of space rock, known for their unique blend of hard rock and experimental sounds, reflecting a growing cult following.
Stylistic neighbors
Pink Floyd· Can· Monster Magnet

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) 3:56
  • 2 It’s So Easy 5:18

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata